Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt and you'll be in the air for around 11 hours 31 minutes.
Frankfurt is 8 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Frankfurt operates on the UTC+1 timezone.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most popular route, with 32 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from SFO to FRA is with United at 19:55. Go for the first departure with United at 13:30 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you get on your flight from SFO to Frankfurt, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're flying during a peak month like August, get to the airport even earlier. It's wise to arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. You can expect lines to be longer during holiday periods like spring break and summer.
You can catch a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt. Start your journey at SFO and touch down at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt, including:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing flights from SFO to Frankfurt, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport (AMS)
If you hold a passport from United States and plan to travel to Germany for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on the length of your trip and are subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt.
Located around 21 kilometres from central San Francisco, SFO can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 47 minutes.
Booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to SFO:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt is Rs67,874. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs153,856. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 2 months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from SFO to Frankfurt.
The cheapest month for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt is October. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Getting a cheap ticket from SFO to Frankfurt is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Airports in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to the centre of Frankfurt takes around 21 minutes by car. It's approximately 14 kilometres away.
Travelling by public transport will take you roughly 37 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near FRA:
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Central Frankfurt is about 121 kilometres from Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN). Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 1 hour and 32 minutes.
The journey will take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to HHN. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from SFO to Frankfurt:
Best time to go to Frankfurt
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt. July is the busiest month to visit Frankfurt. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Frankfurt is July, with the temperature ranging between 12ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from SFO to Frankfurt in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -4ºC and 7ºC on average.
More about Frankfurt
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Frankfurt right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt:
Palmengarten and Goethe House are just a couple of the top attractions to put on your Frankfurt to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Frankfurt Cathedral.
Complete your Frankfurt trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Frankfurt and explore the city in your own time. Easily compare companies in one go to find the ideal ride after booking your hotel and cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt.